NOTE: Teen drivers can have their license suspended or lose the privilege to apply for a license for a conviction of speeding, reckless driving, street racing, driving while using a cell phone or texting, or any violation of the teen driving restrictions set by the state. For more information about teen licenses, please see our CT Applying for a Teen License page.

Suspension Notice

If your license is suspended, you’ll receive a notice of suspension, which will include information such as:

Reason for suspension.

Reinstatement requirements, including the suspension duration.

Reinstatement fees.

If you suspect your license is suspended, or you don’t completely understand your notice, contact the DMV at (860) 263-5720 or dmv.suspension@ct.gov.

Driving with a Suspended License

It’s illegal to drive if you’ve been refused a driver’s license OR your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled.

Operating a vehicle without driving privileges can lead to criminal penalties:

$150 to $200 fine.

3 months of jail time.

Note the above penalties are for the 1st offense. Additional offenses can lead to higher fines, more jail time, and an even more difficult time getting back your driving privileges.

Suspension Hearings and Appeals

You may be able to schedule hearings and make appeals in some instances (see “OUI Suspensions” below, for example). Your license suspension notice will provide you with this information.

You have 7 days from the date the notice has been mailed to request a hearing. If you fail to request a hearing within that time, you’ll receive notice that your suspension will begin on the effective date in your original notice.

For more serious infractions—such as OUI—you might consult an attorney. Certain lawyers specialize in matters like operating under the influence and can help you navigate the legal system.

Reinstate Your CT Driver’s License

You must resolve your suspended license by mail.

First, check your suspension notice and any related documents and make sure you’re eligible for license reinstatement. If you are, it will give your eligibility date (date of expiration of the suspension).

NOTE: You CANNOT drive again until you’ve received your restoration letter (which could take 10 days from the date the DMV receives your reinstatement paperwork) AND you’ve obtained a valid driver’s license.

For license reinstatement information specific to your situation, contact the DMV at (860) 263-5720 or dmv.suspension@ct.gov.

OUI Suspensions in CT

Operating under the influence (OUI)—also known as DUI or DWI—is a criminal offense in Connecticut. As such, you can lose your license 2 ways:

Administrative Per Se: “Admin Per Se,” as it’s often shortened, happens when you refuse to submit to a blood/breath/chemical test OR fail such a test. This is through the DMV and takes effect at 12:01 a.m. 31 days after the arrest date. You’ll receive a notice of suspension, which allows you 7 days to request a hearing.

(See “Hearings and Appeals” above).

Criminal penalties: Your court handles criminal license suspensions.

Your suspension period depends on your age, the nature of the offense, and the offense number.

For example, refusing to submit to a test could get you anywhere from 1 year to 6 years of license suspension. Failing a test could get you as many as 2 ½ years of admin per se license suspension.

If you are convicted and the judge hands you criminal penalties, you face anywhere from suspension for 45 days to a permanently revoked license. You may also face additional DMV penalties (e.g., the DMV suspends your license for a 1st offense of OUI for 90 days).

CT Special Operator’s Permits

Depending on the circumstances of your suspended driver's license, you might be able to obtain a Special Operator’s Permit. This permit acts as a restricted driver’s license and allows you to travel to and from work or to and from school, depending upon the permit you apply for and obtain.